BENGALURU: Three musicans of three different genres are all set to converge in a concert in the city that will give Bengalureans a taste of Spanish rhythms, jazz and the South Indian classical music.
Aptly titled, ‘Bangalore to Barcelona’, the concert, organised by Frameworx, will feature Khanjira maestro, Vidwan Amrit, Spanish experimental precussionist Aleix Tobias and jazz and experimental pianist, Frijo Francis.
Speaking about the collaboration Amrit says, “Aleix is a very good friend of mine. We performed together in The Sacred Music Festival in Jerusalem last year. Since then we have been talking and exchanging ideas about each others music and culture. Aleix was planning his tour to India. I insisted on his coming to Bengaluru He readily agreed as he wanted to know more about our music and rhythm.” While planning the concept of this concert, Aleix and Amrit thought that it would be nice to have a melody player who would suit this concept.
“We thought Frijo's deft playing, musical sense, adaptability and experience will be of value in making this concert a memorable one,” adds Amrit.
Although it's his first time in India, Aleix counts a number of Indian musicians such as Sultan Khan, Ali Akbar Khan, Ravi Shankar, Hariprasad Chaurasia, Zakir Hussain who have influenced him. “It's a short trip for me and I am focusing on my concerts and workshops only in Bengaluru this time. I hope to visit other Indian cities in future,” he says.
About his experience in the city so far Alexis says that he has been having a really great time. “The streets are fully alive, you could write a book about what's happening in every corner, the food is simple and tasty. I'm always attracted to cultures which are dramatically different from my own. I've wanted to come to India since 20 years, and finally, my dream has come true,” says Alexis who has travelled the world playing in concerts and has collaborated in as many as 100 artists' albums.
Talking on the topic of the the Khanjira's versitality (typical of South Indian classical music) as a musical instrument, Amrit pointed out that “though it's a small frame drum, the possibilities of this tiny frame is huge. Looks are deceiving. The Khanjira is one instrument which can blend into any genre through out the world. The texture, tonality and the dynamics of this tiny frame is beyond imagination. In the right hands it can transport the listeners to a totally different world.”
Amrit is the son of Violin Virtuoso Basavanagudi G Nataraj and has roots in the Karnatak musical traditions. “I was exposed to good music of various genres which helped me to enjoy and understand all kinds of music.”
Born to a musical family, Frijo got his ATCL diploma from Trinity College at the age of 12 and has gone on to collobarate with a number of Indian and foreign artists. “Even though my strongest foundation is Western classical music, I was also passionate in other genres of music like rock, Indian ragas, funk, latin, blues. Then the idea of putting together all the best flavors from different genres interested me.”